§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Prime Minister (1) if he is satisfied with the co-operation between the Welsh Office and the Ministry of Agriculture over flood prevention at Llandudno Junction;
(2) whether the Secretary of State for Wales or the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is primarily responsible for ensuring that there is no further flooding at Llandudno Junction to the detriment of local residents and users of the A55;
(3) if he will instruct the appropriate Ministers to take speedy action in connection with the danger of further severe flooding at the Meadows Estates and on the A55 at Llandudno Junction.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for land drainage and flood protection in England and Wales and for the payment of grant aid towards the cost of improvement works. But statutory powers to carry out work to prevent or alleviate flooding are vested in drainage authorities, and the decision whether to undertake a particular flood alleviation scheme is a matter solely for the authority concerned. The Ministry and the Welsh Office have been in close touch since the flooding at Llandudno Junction in October 1976 and I am satisfied that they have done all they can to assist and encourage the Welsh National Water Development Authority to carry out remedial work at the earliest possible date. On 1st February the authority submitted for grant aid a scheme for the protection of the site from further flooding, and a decision on this will be taken within the next few days.